An F1 fan gift guide for the sickos in your life
For all the collectors of obscure and absurd memorabilia.
Let me begin today's post by saying that I am positively delighted that we now live in a world where gift guides catered to Formula 1 (or motorsport fans in general) are A Thing, particularly here in the United States. But I fear that I am not the target audience of many of these newer guides.
This popped into my head while I was perusing a delightful gift guide from The Paddock Journal (which you should definitely check out!). For as much as I would absolutely positively love the leather Ferrari bag that kicks off the list, I could tell that this specific list was catering to a subset of fandom that I — A History Nerd — didn't necessarily find myself in.
Which is not merely okay; that's great! It delights me to no end that F1 is speaking to folks from all walks of life — from the watch collectors who love an expensive glass of aged whiskey to the style icons who know how to transform the world around them into their personal catwalk to the ride-or-die fans who will go to the ends of the earth for their chosen driver or team. Please keep doing your thing, and please keep making your gift guides!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would simply like to add my voice to this conversation by curating what I'd like to call The F1 Fan Gift Guide For The Sickos In Your Life. These gift suggestions are for the fan who:
has an absurd fun fact pulled from the depths of motorsport history for damn near every occasion
collects obscure memorabilia, often with a focus on getting their hands on the most absurd thing they can find
hasn't had a favorite driver since 1992 but still tunes in every weekend
misses the F1 of yore but still respects how the sport has evolved
seemingly has everything they could ever want in terms of merch, travel supplies, trackside wares, etc.
Let's get shoppin'!
It is worth noting that the following links are not affiliate links or anything like that (most of them are on eBay); I'm not making a commission, just sharing the goodies!
Sounds From the International World of Racing Graham Hill 33 RPM Vinyl Record
The inimitable Fred Smith purchased this record for me. I have yet to listen to it because I do not have The Equipment Required; however, you may enjoy it.
A pin from the 2000 US Grand Prix at Indianapolis
No one needs to know that you weren't actually at the 2000 US Grand Prix.
1980 Formula-1 Grand Prix Montreal, Canada Marlboro McLaren Collector Decal
Yeah sure McLaren is all the rage in 2025………. so why not prove your original fandom with a 1980 McLaren sticker?
Goodyear F1 calendar from 1975
I know it sounds insane to recommend a CALENDAR from 1975, but hear me out: I deconstructed the 1974 Goodyear F1 calendar and turned it into wall art. It's very cool.
Private Paradise by Jacques Villeneuve
F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve put out an album once, and YOU can be the proud owner of one of the ~800 copies sold!
The Grand Prix Car by L. J. K. Setright
For the more technically-minded F1 fan.
A Toyota F1 teddy bear
I'm a frickin’ sucker for any kind of stuffed critter. This Panasonic Toyota teddy is amazing, but you can find examples from tons of different teams, especially Ferrari.
Aston Martin F1 Monopoly
I shouldn't be surprised that Aston Martin F1 has its own edition of Monopoly considering I have multiple Monopoly editions from the small towns I've lived in, but: Here we are!
A quilted Benetton F1 jacket
Benetton was a clothing brand before it became a Formula 1 team, so you can find a ton of great merch from them. But there are also a ton of great vintage F1 windbreakers that make great, unique gifts!
A French restaurant menu signed by icons like Dan Gurney, Bob Bondurant, Carroll Shelby, Stirling Moss, Tony Brooks, and many more
I'll take the veal medallions with a side of Carroll Shelby, thank you.
The Heavily Censored History of Hesketh Racing
Still the truth cannot be told!!!!!!
A Detroit Grand Prix coffee mug
I don't think this mug is fit for the microwave, but it's a great part of F1 history.
1989 Phoenix Grand Prix sticker
Again, you didn't have to be at the 1989 Phoenix Grand Prix to buy this sticker, but you can most certainly pretend.
Jim Clark ashtray
So technically this is a Jim Clark Indy 500 ashtray and not a Formula 1 ashtray, but it's very cool so I'm including it nevertheless.
A slightly cursed Jacky Ickx figurine
Please don't buy this Jacky Ickx unless you're buying it FOR ME SPECIFICALLY.
While I could probably go on like this forever, I will leave it here! If you do end up snagging one of these, please let me know!
“Deadly Passions, Terrible Joys” is a project by motorsport historian and journalist Elizabeth Blackstock that is dedicated to uncovering the sport’s forgotten tragedies as well as opening up motorsport to aspiring future journalists. If you’ve enjoyed this Substack, please consider a paid subscription; all posts here will be free for anyone to view, but your donations directly support the kind of content you cannot find at any legacy media site.
Absolutely unhinged list. Zero notes.
I love this 😂 let’s hear it for the sickos!!!